NBC's Mitchell hosted segment that falsely asserted Kerry "refus[ed] to apologize" for "botched joke," even while mentioning Kerry's appearance on Imus in which he did
During the 11 a.m. ET hour of the November 1 edition of MSNBC News Live, NBC News chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell aired a portion of comments made by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) on that day's edition of Imus in the Morning, but left out the part in which he said he was "sorry."
As noted by the weblog Think Progress, Kerry said that he was "sorry about a botched joke" that Republicans and some in the media have misrepresented in asserting that Kerry denigrated U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Mitchell aired part of Kerry's appearance on Imus, during an interview with Lynne Cheney, wife of Vice President Dick Cheney, in which the onscreen text read: "Lynne Cheney Reacts to Sen. Kerry's Refusal to Apologize."
As Media Matters for America noted, during the October 31 edition of MSNBC News Live, Mitchell also said that it is "hard to imagine" Kerry's explanation for the remark he made during an October 30 appearance at Pasadena City College in California is true.
From the 11 a.m. hour of MSNBC News Live:
MITCHELL: John Kerry called into Imus today, and I wanted to play a little bit of what he had to say -- his explanation for this, quote, "botched joke." Let's give a listen.
KERRY [audio clip]: This comment couldn't have been directed at them because you can't get into the military by doing badly at school. This was directed at the people who didn't do their homework, didn't listen to history, didn't listen to their own advice; and they owe the American people an apology.
Now, I'm going to, you know, I'm coming back to Washington today so that I'm not a distraction, because I don't want to be a distraction to these campaigns.
MITCHEL: Lynne Cheney: Clearly, he's getting off the campaign trail because he has become a distraction -- Democrats are not that happy about it. But that was a shot at, among other people, your husband, who didn't serve in Vietnam. How do you react to that?
From the November 1 edition of MSNBC's Imus in the Morning:
DON IMUS (host): I was talking to Charles last night about this, and it was my inclination to try to defend you in this, and I said, "I think I know what he meant. I mean, it's clear what he meant." But I had to acknowledge, in my conversation with Charles, that that's not what you said, so --
KERRY: Of course it isn't what I said. I left out one word -- I left out the word "us." They got "us" stuck. Instead of that, I said they got stuck. And they're taking advantage of it. And here's what's wrong.
IMUS: Why not apologize for the misunderstanding?
KERRY: Well, I did. I said it was a botched joke. Of course I'm sorry about a botched joke. You think I love botched jokes? I mean, you know, it's pretty stupid.
...and here is all the fallout of a really dumb move by Kerry. He just should have known better. Why give any of these wackos an excuse?
but maybe he made a MISTAKE. I don't think he fubbed the joke on purpose so that the media and the other side could spin and lie about it.
It was a very simple mistake. If you put the word "us" into his comment, it becomes "you get us stuck in Iraq", and the criticism he meant for Bush (not the troops of course) becomes much clearer.
I just can't believe Republicans are trying to seize on this as a major issue.
After all, isn't Bush famous for his verbal gaffes???
G.W. Bush was once quoted as saying, "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."
>>"I just can't believe Republicans are trying to seize on this as a major issue."<<
They're happy to pile-on a victim of Parkinson's Disease. There's no limit to how low they'll go, or to their intellectual dishonesty.
... On purpose or not -- and, I agree -- I'm sure this was not on purpose. But, the stakes are way too high at the moment to make half-baked 'jokes' about Iraq, etc...
In my opinion, all the Dems need to stand up in unison and speak out against this criminal administration. I really believe that the average Joe would love to see/hear that. A big criticism of the Democrats has been that they mince words, are too soft on issues, etc... Say it like it is! H Dean was (and still is) great at that. Drop the silly puns and back-handed jibes and come out and speak the truth - 1) Bush and his cadre are criminals, 2) the got us into a ridiculous ill-advised, unfounded 'war' and 3) they need to pay for their dirty deeds. No jokes. Just the hard facts.
And, with that... of course the neocon idiots will come out and complain, whine, etc... Lynn Cheney will 'disagree' ... but, at that point, who cares?! These guys have to be as clear as possible at this point. And, show some backbone, I think.
C'mon, kids. That is completely false. He never apologized yesterday! In fact, he did the opposite!
If this guy had apologized immediately, the story would be over by now. But this guy keeps stepping in it.
My 2 cents. Thanks.
...."criticizing the troops", then it would have looked like he was admitting to insulting the troops, when he really was insulting G.W. Bush for getting us stuck in Iraq.
And, had Kerry apologized or not, your party would still be trying to seize onto this as some kind of major scandal. Don't try to pretend a simple apology would have kept right-wingers quiet about this.
I think if this incident hangs on into next week it may backfire on the Republicans.
They are not being fair to Kerry and I think most Americans will start to reject the steady drumbeat of unfair criticism.
Most Americans are fair-minded in the end. That doesn't bode well for the Republicans in this.
I agree. They've overreached. That's why Kerry firing back was so critical. People like conviction. Wishy-washy is what lost Kerry the Whitehouse. Stand up to the bully and the bully suddenly loses power.
...lost the Presidency because of Ohio voter suppresion.
I couldn't agree more. I think if Kerry would have acted during the presidential run as he acted yesterday, he might have become president. Of course, no one knows for sure. One thing you can be sure of though, is that as a veteran, as someone who did wear the uniform and fought honorably for his country, Kerry wasn't insulting the troops.
Kerry insulting the troops would be political suicide for a potential 2008 presidential candidate. We all know, deep down inside, that Kerry was insulting no one but GWB. Further, taking his remarks in their totality, Kerry was doing nothing more than encouraging students to pursue education (and taking a moment to take a jab at the president - who could blame him?).
The right wingers can spin this all they want. Go ahead, Republicans. Make as much noise about this as possible. Spin this out of control. All you're doing is giving Kerry more air time - and God knows I'd rather hear from Kerry than from GWB.
And by the way, SCREW Tony Snow, the White House, Republicans and their demand for an apology. When the Republicans begin apologizing for lying, stealing, cheating and raping young boys, then I *might* consider a concession. Until then, those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. The hypocrisy from the right is amazing.
CSL
I just went to Kerry’s website and there is a statement about the joke aimed at Bush but I think it doesn't go far enough. He should say something like this:
"While giving a speech condemning Bush and his failed policies that are destroying America, I botched one the jokes aim at Bush. The far right has asserted that I was maligning the troops and I did not such thing. The joke was aimed at Bush’s stupidity and had nothing to do with military."
>>"If this guy had apologized immediately, the story would be over by now. But this guy keeps stepping in it."<<
That's total B.S.
Kerry apologized for the botched joke. He didn't apologize to the troops because---as YOU and the other rabid wingers who WANT to perpetuate this story are VERY much cognisant of---the joke was directed towards Bush, not the troops.
You and your ilk --in the little Rovian fantasy world you live in-want to pretend Kerry insulted the troops so that you can keep this story going. Your concern for the troops is phony-your concern is for your party's political gain.
dave_chicago: "He didn't apologize to the troops because---as YOU and the other rabid wingers who WANT to perpetuate this story are VERY much cognisant of---the joke was directed towards Bush, not the troops."
Then why did Kerry finally issue this aplogy to the troops? (Apology was about 20 minutes after your post.)
Shoes,
Kerry took the opportunity to clarify the situation:
"As a combat veteran, I want to make it clear to anyone in uniform and to their loved ones: my poorly stated joke at a rally was not about, and never intended to refer to any troop.
I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted to wrongly imply anything negative about those in uniform, and I personally apologize to any service member, family member, or American who was offended.
It is clear the Republican Party would rather talk about anything but their failed security policy. I don’t want my verbal slip to be a diversion from the real issues. I will continue to fight for a change of course to provide real security for our country, and a winning strategy for our troops."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kerry made it clear the joke "was not about, and never intended to refer to any troop". He apologized to the people who had wrongly assumed he had meant to.
It is a pretty sad day when something so silly gets this degree of attention.
I used Shoes link to johnkerry.com above for my quotation. Just in case anyone didn't already figure that out.
Thanks, open_mind. Couldn't have said it better.
Because certain troops misinterpreted his words, and being a decorated combat veteran, he wanted to ease their pain. In addition, they are inundated with Limbaugh through the Armed Forces Radio, and he knew Limbaugh would twist the words as well.
I'm sure you and your cohorts in any case will march on with the pretense that Kerry really intended to insult our troops. That sham, and attacking victims of Parkinson's, is pretty much the entire right-wing arsenal, what with the incompetent, miserable failures of the Bush administration-from Iraq to Katrina to Foley to Delay, and on and on and on..... that you guys will duck and dodge from talking about in any dishonest way possible.
He has to appologize to no one for criticising Bush and his broken policy in Iraq. Bush needs to do the appologizing
Is why Kerry and other politicians continue to go on Imus? This is a disgusting person who has a show based on bashing gays, African Americans and others. From the disgusting "Cardinal" the Bill Clinton and Hillary bashing. Its obscene.
As for Andrea Mitchell, this is another one who plays to the filth of Imus.
I am sorry, I have to disagree. Imus is not a terrible person. His work with sick children should be commended. His audience includes people on WFAN in NY a sports station so figures like "cardinal Egan" are for them.
I think this article from Phil Mushnick NY Post speaks volumes about Imus's filthfest.
[link to www.nypost.com]
I hate to even get into this debate, but Imus' "cancer ranch" has received a lot of criticism. He lives on the ranch with his family while declaring it to be a charity organization. He has cancer kids working on a farm. It's not all fun and games for them.
-------------------------------------------------------
From an article about the ranch:
But make no mistake: this is no frolicking summer camp or serene high-desert day spa. The Imus Ranch is an exhausting, sunrise-to-sunset boot camp for cowboys and cowgirls designed to instill the values of hard work and the Western lifestyle. "We’re straight shooters with these kids," says Deirdre, 41. "We lay down the rules the first day here: ‘This isn’t Camp Happy Face.’"
Soon after the 10 wranglers, ages 11 to 17, are outfitted in blue jeans, cowboy boots and hats compliments of Wrangler, Justin and Resistol, they’re given the rules of the cowboy way. There’s no coddling or whining, and they must clean their rooms, make up their beds, do laundry, clear their plates and say, "Yes ma’am." And no hats on the bed—not bad manners, just bad luck. "It’s about hard work," says Brittany Thomas, 12, of Crestview, Fla.
The days begin at 6:15 a.m., when the cowpokes begin their round of chores, such as feeding the various animals scattered around the ranch. After breakfast, half of the children do ranch chores, including planting, watering and gathering eggs, while the others proceed to the barn, where they begin the process of muck removal before grooming, bridling and saddling the horses for a two-hour ride. "These aren’t dude-ranch horses," Don says. "They are serious horses."
After lunch and an hour break for swimming or napping, the children switch projects. After dinner, they have about 90 minutes to play board games or pool before lights out at 9 p.m.
The kids are accompanied by the Imuses virtually every hour of the incredibly long and tiring day. The only non-paid ranch workers, Don and Deirdre don’t just run the ranch; they are the ranch. They lead every horse exercise and follow the kids on their daily chores in their pickup truck.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I personally think he could do without all the chores for the cancer kids. Some poor kid with cancer cleaning out the "muck" in the barn? Sounds like free labor to me, not "helping cancer kids".
Also, NY Attorney General Elliot Spitzer is investigating the charity because Imus' family uses the ranch as a personal residence.
The charity has even drawn fire for only hosting 100 kids a year while spending $2.6 million a year to operate.
Some have even accused Imus of extorting public figures in order to force them to donate, and public figures who have donated are always given praise on his radio show.
Please cite your source.
So, you contend that Imus is a decent person because he works with sick children? GMAFB.
Nazis came up with the autobahn and the Volkswagen. I guess they're good people too.
CSL
Not that I disagree with Brian in FL but he did not cite his source. Why are you not outraged?
In CSL's defense, CASAC did it twice.
Interesting to contrast how the mainstream media and liberal propaganda sites like MMFA treat the Limbaugh "apology" and the Kerry "apology". On one hand, you have the media cycling and recycling the intentionally distorted comments by Limbaugh with no regard for their intent for nine days and counting....then there's the White House press corps actually attempting to decipher and defend Kerry's words while Paula Zahn offers her hope to Wolf Blitzer that the story can basically be buried within the next 24 hours to minimize "collateral damage".
And there's no liberal bias in the media. Sure.
...satire?
If so, it is quite good.
...how desperate Republicans are when this is what they seize on a week before an election in which they are going to lose control of the house.
Talk about making a mountain out of a mole hill and coming from George Bush who doesn't seem CAPABLE of speaking more than a couple of sentences without looking like someone who just learned the language is quite funny actually.
When Georgie speaks, it looks to me like he's having bowel issues.
Constipation sucks, doesn't it, Mr. President?
If this isnt telling I dont know what is.
<
Party leaders privately urged Kerry to lower his public profile, according to several officials. Congressional candidates in Iowa and Minnesota said they no longer wanted him to appear at their scheduled rallies. "Whatever the intent, Senator Kerry was wrong to say what he said. He needs to apologize to our troops," said Rep. Harold Ford (news, bio, voting record) Jr., locked in a close Senate race in Tennessee>>.
QUIT PLAGIARIZING!
You posted the exact same thing today on another thread. In the same thread, you didn't cite any sources.
Have you no shame? Can you not at least give credit where credit is due, or are you just a thief?
I believe CASAC allready explained the mistake and posted the source.
Are you that petty? Look at the others on here who do this.
Your nasty
[link to news.yahoo.com]
Did you also request Brian in FL the same?
Or is it only if something you disagree with gets this type of vicious attitude.
I believe CSL was being generous. Many of us take plagiarism seriously.
That said, I don't think you were trying to deliberately present the information as your own work, but you still need to cite it.
If you see someone posting an item without proper citation (or at least a mention of where they got it), you should check them as well.
I wish, just wish that one day someone, perhaps Kerry would just say this,
"WTF you dumb mofos. You really want to know what I was saying but was trying to play nice? I was saying that George ugly a$$ motherfoing BUSH has never succeeded at anything in life including his GPA and is so dumb and F-ing greedy that he landed more than the shared populatuion of minorites and poor in IRAQ gettin their MOFOing a$$ shot off. Yeah I said it. Is it a lie? Do you want to fight or something? What you don't like your reflection. FU! "
That we need someone to say that. I think that whoever said it might just get elected too. It's no more obscene than the lies the government has been feeding us as they lead us into whichever meat grinder they're working on at any given time. They'd sure as hell get my vote.
Kerry has now formally apologized to the troops, their families and Americans if his misinterpreted words offended them. Case closed...
... remembering who exploits this thing the most. They can never be forgiven for this kind of extreme idiocy: Andrea Mitchell, Lou Dobbs, Hillary Clinton, John McCain ... to name just a few. Hillary's comments are especially egregious, coming from a fellow Dem senator of Kerry. I will do all I can to work against any Hillary campaign for president.
"I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted to wrongly imply..." -J Kerry
That's an even more absurd setup to a non-apology than Limbaugh's. You know MMFA would be all over that one if the party affiliation were reversed. Don't expect this story to disappear any time soon.
I sincerely regret IS an appology. IF I was wrong, ISNT. Thats simple reading comprehension.
I hope it doesn't disappear. With every minute of faux outrage, the Republicans are digging themselves a deeper hole. Keep the focus on Iraq. It's the biggest loser issue for these faltering Republicans.
Limbaugh was beating on a man because of his illness which he did not choose. Kerry intended to pick on GWB who misled us into a war in Iraq, mishandled the prosecution of this war, mishandled the occupation after the mission was 'accomplished" and has no plan to change any of his mistakes. He's going to leave that to the next president. Each month the needle on the military's chart moves closer to Chaos.
[link to www.nytimes.com]
More than a half a million people have died since he instigated this war and we're lost more than a hundred people in the month of October. Enough is enough!
Oh please... gimme a break. This is as direct and forthright an apology as you can get. But Kerry made this clear. He did not and could not apologize for intentionally maligning the troops because that never was his intent... Bush was his target. Look at it this way: Imagine Kerry had thrown a rock at Bush but missed his aim and hit a soldier. Bush accused Kerry of throwing the rock at the soldier. Kerry could not apologize for throwing a rock at the soldier because that's not what he did. Nonetheless, it's still right to apologize to the soldier for accidentally hitting him. But I would want that soldier to know, "Hey,man, I wasn't throwing at you. I was throwing at that a-hole Bush."
even a Republican should be able to understand the analogy. You must have children.